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Dang! My head hurts! (Flip-up Helmet Advice)

Hi All,

I'm currently using a full-face Arai due to the general design for oblong-shaped heads (longer front to back, narrower from side to side). Even with the Arai, I still get a pretty good headache after a few hours of use.

I am interested in a flip-up helmet and don't mind paying money for solid safety/comfort. I just don't want to drop $500 to find out that my head hurts after a few hours.

Does anyone have a head like mine and a flip-up helmet that is comfortable? I appreciate any/all help.

Try a HJC Sy-max II, just received mine a week after the rally and HJC has made big improvements over the original Sy-max which I owned for several years. This new model is a lot quieter then the original model and has the new flip up sun visor. I purchased the Sy-max II for $216.00 from www.newenough.com .

I have Schuberths (both c1 and c2). The C2 fits my oblong head better than the C1. Both are confortable, quiet and vent well in hot weather/rain. They do need to wear in a little. The C2 was tight on my cheekbones for the first 300 miles or so..

I use a Nolan NE102 flip up, it's comfortable. They are mid priced, and a big seller. Used HJC's in past years, and they are also comfortable. I got a round head (along with the rest of me) for sure. They are mid priced helmets. I got a Nolan at BikeBandit.com (with the AMA discount) for $216.

I tried a new Shoei flip up at a Honda dealer, and it was impressive. Price $495.

I would try to visit some dealers, and try on some helmets, to be sure. Arai helmets are in a class of their own when it comes to sizing.

Try a HJC Sy-max II, just received mine a week after the rally and HJC has made big improvements over the original Sy-max which I owned for several years. This new model is a lot quieter then the original model and has the new flip up sun visor. I purchased the Sy-max II for $216.00 from www.newenough.com .

I also purchased a HJC SY-MAX II and While I like the fit, Style, and drop down sun visor I can not keep the face shield up while riding down the road after a weeks use. Also a problem for other SY-MAX users. An email to HJC about this problem got a response of go buy a new shield.

It's not so much the brand as the specific helmet and the shape of the helmet. I recently replaced my Arai XD with a new Arai Quantum 2. The Quantum 2 fits my melon head very well - plenty of room. For grins, I tried on a new Arai Profile in the same size - the Profile is for a longer, narrower head. The Profile, on my head, was as uncomfortable as the Quantum 2 is comfortable - the Profile immediately pressed both sides of my head together and I could barely stand to have it on, even though it was the same size as my perfect-fit Quantum 2.

I have tried a couple of Shoei's - in particular a Syncro-Tec, and that thing presses into my forehead.

So, I guess the main thing is to go to a retailer and work with a salesperson who is knowledgeable, and try out different brands and styles until you find what works specifically for you.

Try a HJC Sy-max II, just received mine a week after the rally and HJC has made big improvements over the original Sy-max which I owned for several years. This new model is a lot quieter then the original model and has the new flip up sun visor. I purchased the Sy-max II for $216.00 from www.newenough.com .

My name is PAGoldsby, and I support this message.

Also, the fabled girlfriend has a rather elongated cranium. She's in a L Sy-Max II, and she reports it to be very comfortable. Mine's an XL, and I was a bit concerned about it being too tight front-to-back, but after wearing it a few times, it's fitting quite right now.

I really want an Arai XD like Ewan and Charley have, but they're hard to find.

I always thought the Arai helmet fits a rounder head and a shoei fits a narrower one.
Might be worth a try. I wear an HJC and my head is round. So that one may not be a good choice for you.

I am not sure about that. I have a round head and the Arai's I tried pinched my cheeks so bad I could barely open my mouth. My old Shoei RF200 was very comfortable. I have a Nolan flip up now which is comfortable but there's not quite as much distance between the my chin and front of the helmet as I'd like, whereas the HJC seems to have plenty of room. I was thinking of buying an HJC but I am not too thrilled with the plastic locking mechanism.

I wear an HJC Sy-max and am very happy with it. Fortunately I live near a big online helmet seller over in Daytona who had lots of selection to actually try on.
Before settling on the Sy-Max I tried the Nolans and Schuberths, but they seemed to rub my lips and chin when opening and closing.

The only complaint I have with the HJC is the visor won't stay up at highway speeds after a few months of wear. New visors are cheap enough and mine are often in need or replacement anyway.